Method for the diagnosis of heart diseases

Abstract

The present application discloses a method to diagnose heart diseases, characterised by measuring, in the affected cells, the density of A 2A receptors and/or the production of cyclic AMP after stimulation of these cells with A 2A receptor agonists. According to the invention, these parameters are used as markers for monitoring the onset, progression and remission of heart diseases. The circulating cells in the patients blood were found to be an adequate model for monitoring, at a peripheral level, the course of these pathologies: this allows the assay to be performed in the way of a simple blood test. The method allows to detect the aforesaid diseases even in their earliest stages, thus allowing the possibility of a timely treatment; the efficacy of any chosen treatments can also be monitored by the present method.

1 . A method to diagnose a heart disease involving haemodynamic deficit, such method comprising the step of measuring, in the patient's affected cells, the density of A 2A  receptors and/or the production of cyclic AMP induced by a A 2A  agonist compound.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , which is used to monitor the onset, and/or development and/or regression of heart disease, the latter occuring upon heart transplantation and/or specific therapeutic protocols.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , which is used to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring normal haemodynamic functions.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the disease is in its earliest stage of development, in proximity of its complete remission, or in any other situation where its symptoms are hardly visible.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the disease is one among terminal heart failure, myocardial infarction, and cardiac hypofunctionality.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein hypofunctionality occurs after heart transplantation.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the affected cells are cells of the heart tissue.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the affected cells are cells of the blood.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the affected cells are chosen from lymphocytes and/or neutrophils.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , being performed as follows: 
 (i) a sample of affected cells is obtained from the patient;    (ii) a part of this sample is tested to assess density of A 2A  receptors;    (iii) a part of this sample is incubated with an A 2A  agonist compound and is tested to assess the amount of cyclic AMP produced by these cells;    wherein one between steps (ii) and (iii) is optional and, when both steps (ii) and (iii) are performed, they can take place in any order or simultaneously.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the A 2A  agonist compound is N-ethylcarboxamidoadenoside (NECA) or any other adenosine analogue able to activate A 2A  receptors.  
     
     
         12 . A methods according to  claim 1 , wherein the production of cyclic AMP is assayed with agents acting at post-receptor level, e.s., at G-protein and/or at adenylyl cyclase level.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein, during a determined period of time, a series of measurements is taken of A 2A  receptor density and/or cyclic AMP production, and the respective results are plotted to form a time curve showing the progression of the disease during this period of time.  
     
     
         14 . A diagnostic kit for performing the method of  claim 1 , comprising means for collecting a cells′ sample, means for measuring the density of A 2A  receptors and/or the production of cyclic AMP, and instruction about the performance of the method of  claim 1.